Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Kirby Excerpts

Tuesday 8th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

Staff in HMRC have been reduced for many years, from 97,000 to 69,000. Any Government will want to ensure that HMRC’s resources are deployed as effectively and efficiently as possible, and we will certainly seek to do so.

[Simon Kirby (Brighton, Kemptown) (Con)]

17. What his policy is on taxation of the bingo industry; and if he will make a statement.

[The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Justine Greening)]

We keep all taxes under review. It would not be appropriate to discuss taxation in relation to bingo before the Budget in a couple of weeks, but we are keen to have a dialogue with the industry.

[Simon Kirby]

Does the Minister agree that sometimes it is possible to increase revenue by reducing taxes?

[Justine Greening]

I think that my hon. Friend is probably referring to the well-known Laffer curve. I am sure that he is aware, too, that the tax on bingo participation clubs was reduced in the last Budget from 22% to 20%. As I said, I look forward to talking to the industry over the coming months.